Venture Crew 149
Oak Openings
May 5th and 6th, 2007
Written by Maria, Eric and Alex
Venture Crew had a weekend trip at Oak Openings May 5th and 6th. The idea of the trip was to make it close and easy as many of us are at year end school activities and should maybe be thinking about studying for finals…then again, maybe not. We had 25 people drop by, with 8 of us pitching tents and staying overnight. Those who attended were: Alex B, Tim B, Dan S, Ashley (Dan’s girlfriend), Gregg S, Cecil B, Diane B, Kevin B, Erin B, Mandy K, Luke K, John L, Austin W, Maria D, Dave D, Julie D, Bruce D, Micah D, Brian R, Eric R, Conrad J, Colin (Timmy) J, Clifford J, Jenna B, Dad B Our time was filled with adventure, food and camp fire. As everyone arrived there were many phone calls made giving directions. Oak Openings has a seldom used Group Youth primitive camping area, which is really neat, cheap and close to home. Bruce and Micah told us of when they camped at this site with scouts from old Troop 149 about 15 years ago, when the cargo jets took off early in the morning at Toledo Express before they had the noise suppression (mufflers) they have today. The cargo jets nearly blew them out of their tents. The Venture Crew also used the site to camp and prepare to go on the Appalachian Trail the first time. Eric and Alex built and lit a two match fire to start our cooking and camp fire with no paper or Boy Scout firewater. Mr. D showed them how to hunt for dry tinder, kindling and fuel to start the fire. Eric and Alex also learned how to put up the VC tents by experienced Appalachian Trail backpackers Maria and Micah. While hiking and exploring around the camp site some of us found out that the creeks are wet and kind of deep and muddy. We can now identify skunk cabbage….looks like cabbage and stinks. Our evening was filled with a lot of food including chili, hot dogs, cherry and apple pies made in pie irons. We also had smores. The camp fire broke up around 12:00 with many discussions and making new friends. It was kind of cold during the night, but morning came quickly. Jenna and Tim were up and restarted the fire from the previous night. Dave then started breakfast with egg, sausage and cheese pie iron sandwiches. We also had chapple fruit pies from the pie irons. After clean-up we went on our last hike to an area with sand dunes. Oak Openings had a bunch of trees cut down around the dunes to re-establish the view of the dunes. Eric showed us some plants that only grow on the dunes. Our trail was a horse trail so we had several riders pass us. We then had to keep an eye out for slippery land mines. We also saw a herd of deer.
- Somebody doesn't like his "toasted" sandwich.
- Most of us campers striking a pose.
- Hangin' out & keepin' warm by the fire.
- Old people chilling out!
